Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga sets eyes on Laikipia Senate seat in 2017 polls

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga joins women in a dance during a fundraiser at Karandi in Laikipia West on August 29, 2016. He declared his interest in the Laikipia senate seat in the 2017 elections. PHOTO | STEVE NJUGUNA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Njenga said he would push for legislation that will change the county and promote the interests of the residents.
  • A leader of the women's group noted that Mr Njenga was the best placed to bring cohesion, unity and harmony among Laikipia residents.
  • Ms Kirongo also called on Laikipia residents and President Kenyatta to accept Mr Njenga’s offer to work with the government.
  • She added that Mr Njenga was now a transformed man of God.

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga has expressed his interest in the Laikipia County senatorial seat in the 2017 general elections.

Mr Njenga, who is also the founder of Hope International Ministries church, on Monday declared his interest in unseating incumbent Senator G G Kariuki.

“Now that the seat ... currently held by Mr G G Kariuki will be falling vacant in 2017 after his retirement, I will be ready to square it out with others who might have [an] interest [in it], but this is something that I will announce later after consulting widely,” he noted.

Mr Njenga, who spoke during a fundraiser for a women's group at Karandi in Laikipia West, said he would push for legislation that will change the county and promote the interests of the residernts.

Though he did not say which political party he intends to join, Mr Njenga, who formed a political party known as Mkenya Solidarity Movement with Mr Kariuki before the 2013 general elections, said he was ready to work with the Jubilee government.

FRIENDS WITH RUTO, UHURU

“You know that Deputy President William Ruto is one of my greatest friends. The president is also my friend and I am ready to work with them to form the next government,” he added.

The former Mungiki leader said he would announce his political vehicle by the end of the year.

“Today we are here to raise money that will help our women and mothers, who have for long stayed in rented houses, to acquire their own pieces of land.

“I will be calling them by the end of the year after consulting widely and announce my political outfit,” said Mr Njenga.

The women, led by Mirriam Kirongo, noted that the former Mungiki leader was the best placed among others who have expressed their interest in the seat to bring cohesion, unity and harmony among Laikipia residents.

“Mr Njenga is our son and he is the best person suited to be our next senator.

“Having been brought up in Laikipia County, he is aware of [the] challenges that face our people here and he is capable of addressing them,” said Ms Kirongo.

Ms Kirongo also called on Laikipia residents and President Kenyatta to accept Mr Njenga’s offer to work with the government, adding that he was now a transformed man of God.